My clutch is a drag!

[FiftyGS1100G]

I'm just getting my 82 GS1100G ready for the season and I've noticed that my clutch is really dragging when I'm pushing my bike around (in neutral it's not happening!). It was evident slightly last season but after winter storage it seems much worse. Someone said that it was because I wasn't using the correct oil and I should only be using a specific M/C oil as the friction reducing additives in some oils will swell the clutch plates and cause the drag. I've removed the plates and mic'd them and they were a little on the thin side so swapped them out for some fresher ones. Strangely the problem still exists however when the machine is running the drag is barely evident. Any Ideas? thanks Paul

[DannyMotor]

This is normal. Your cluth rod could be slightly out of adjustment... but i honestly think its you. Any bike Ive owned will drag in gear when not running with the clutch pulled.

[spchips]

This is a common problem and it can be cured. But you must follow my instructions exactly:

1) Do whatever annual maintenance you normally do.
2) Find your jacket and helmet
3) Ride the **** out of it!

Also, maybe you should adjust the cable for less free play. The lever should only move about 1/8" before hitting the cable tension. If the clutch cable is binding at all you might tend to misadjust it to compensate for the binding. Lubricate/replace as needed.

[DannyMotor]

This is a common problem and it can be cured. But you must follow my instructions exactly:

1) Do whatever annual maintenance you normally do.
2) Find your jacket and helmet
3) Ride the **** out of it!

Also, maybe you should adjust the cable for less free play. The lever should only move about 1/8" before hitting the cable tension. If the clutch cable is binding at all you might tend to misadjust it to compensate for the binding. Lubricate/replace as needed.

^ What he said... I forgot, the GS1100 doesn't have a clutch rod, it's got that silly little pinion setup on a cam. I doubt this is adjustable other than to take the entire clutch case off and adjust it manually. If you do as SPChips suggest, it should at least feel a lot better.